When we celebrate summer (or anything) in America, we tend to treat ourselves with good food. Summer barbeques are a great time to gorge on hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, sodas, ice cream, cake, and cookies. Barbeques tend to be potlucks, and when everyone from cousin George to Auntie Fran have brought their specialties to share, it’s hard not to resist overeating all sorts of high sugar/high carb treats. Don’t forget to think about how an indulgent diet affects your teeth and gums. Read on for some culinary suggestions that might be better for your smile.
Dairy Power
We’re not telling you to eat your weight in ice cream at your next social gathering, but low-fat/low-sugar dairy products actually have very protective properties for your teeth. Foods such as cottage cheese, yogurt, hard cheeses, and milk can all give you a nice infusion of calcium and phosphorus. How about bringing a nice cheese plate to the next BBQ? Compounds found in copious amounts in dairy also also have the power to re-mineralize damaged tooth enamel.
Whole Wheat Substitutions
Oh, those enriched white hot dog and hamburger buns. They are delicious with their airy, lightly sweet, almost gummy texture. Unfortunately, refined carbohydrates such as these love to nestle into the crevices, nooks, and crannies of your teeth. This provides a feast to bacteria so they can produce lactic acid and damage your enamel. Whole wheat options are better for your body and are less likely to be metabolized as sugar in your mouth. Just be sure the word “whole” appears on the package. Bread products that just say “wheat” don’t have nearly the same health benefits and are likely to be higher in sugar.
Fruit and Veggies
Hard and fibrous fruits and veggies can remove food particles from between your teeth. They also are heavy in water content which keeps your salivary glands in good working order. This will help you avoid dry mouth which can lead to decay and bad breath issues. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water as well. It may be hot out there and you want to make sure your constantly rinsing food debris out of your mouth.
ABOUT YOUR WILMETTE DENTIST:
Dr. Brent Engelberg and his highly-skilled team proudly serve patients and their families from Arlington Heights, IL, and all surrounding communities, including; Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Skokie, Evanston, Palatine, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows, and the Northern and Northwest Chicago Suburbs. To learn more, schedule a consultation online, or call our office today at 847-259-8030.
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